“I couldn’t have been more proud, honored, and blessed when [Seattle U president] Father Steve attended our last staff meeting and surprised me by announcing that I was the recipient of the Lee Thurber Award,” said Sempadian. “I just want to dedicate the award to all of the student-athletes, coaches, and families throughout my career because they are truly the reason why I love working in college athletics.”
Sempadian will represent the first time athletics has received one of two major honors awarded each year to exemplary SU staff members, as he receives the Lee Thurber Outstanding Staff Award. The award, which requires the nomination of a fellow staff member, was established in 1997 and named after Lee Thurber, who worked in the University Relations department and then as personal secretary to Fr. Sullivan, SJ.
The award is meant to recognize employees who “demonstrate a high degree of commitment to the university, its mission, and its values” as well as someone who is an “exceptional performer [who] inspires others to excel” and “treats others with respect, dignity, and recognizes the unique importance of all persons.” As the staff member who nominated him notes, “He embodies what the Lee Thurber Award is all about.”
Sempadian’s love for college athletics as a career path began when he was a student trainer while in school at the University of San Francisco.
“For me, it was always special supporting the student-athletes, making a positive impact in their lives, and especially supporting them on tough days. We all go through ups and downs in our lives and in those times in my life, I’ve always remembered the people who are there for me on the tough days. So I try to always be that person and support everyone.”
One of his favorite parts of working in college athletics is seeing the entire process, as student-athletes go from recruits to graduates. His advice to each one? “To cherish every moment, because it can go by so quickly. There are so many different friendships you develop and those memories and friendships are some that you’ll have for the rest of your life.”
He mentions one friendship in particular, with women’s basketball’s Maggie McCarthy, who is set to graduate next month, that he will cherish forever. McCarthy and Sempadian attended the same high school, and she was recruited by USF while he was working there, before coming to Seattle U.
“I’d see her all the time, but then she didn’t go to USF, she came here. Then I was hired here and she was surprised to see me.” He took a piece of construction paper from his desk with a handwritten note on it, among many of the notes that he has from numerous student-athletes. “She gave me my first note at SU, I still have it. She gave it to me my first day here.”
McCarthy would go on to miss the 2010-11 season due to injury, just a year after Sempadian came to Seattle U. “I think God sends you where you’re supposed to be. It’s amazing where you end up and it has just been special being here with her and all of our student-athletes. I’ll always cherish the great memories we have together because they all make a positive impact in my life too.” The 2012-13 season became one he would never forget. “After everything she battled through, seeing Maggie and her teammates win their first Western Athletic Conference regular season title definitely brought tears to my eyes.”
Sempadian can be found behind the bench, in the dugout, or near the court or field for almost every Seattle U home competition that takes place, no matter the sport. He had the opportunity to travel to Las Vegas, with several other staff members, in March 2013 to support the men’s and women’s basketball teams at the WAC tournament. The SU softball team even recently made a large cardboard cutout “Greg head” to take with them on road trips, so that he could always be with them.
Outside of coordinating events and supporting student-athletes in competition, he is also an advisor for the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee as well as Student-Athlete Fellowship, a group he helped found for student-athletes to gather with their peers from similar and different faith backgrounds.
The mantra he lives by is “to make a difference in someone’s life, you just have to care”. He adds, “I just always care straight from the heart.” As one can see from the following accolades, Sempadian uses his job to make a positive difference in the Seattle U athletics department and campus community, one caring deed at a time.
What Student-Athletes, Coaches, and Staff Say about Sempadian:
“When I think of hard work and dedication to the well-being of the student-athletes, the first person that comes to mind is Greg. His passion and support for the teams is overwhelming and all of the hard work that he puts in behind the scenes is what really makes this department successful.”
“Greg is the most caring and sincere person I’ve ever met. His ability to make a connection with every person he contacts is special. We are very fortunate to have Greg at Seattle U!”
“Greg is the biggest fan of student-athletes I have ever seen in my 20+ years of coaching. He is also a big brother figure who takes time to listen to their needs and concerns. Greg, to me, is a “real” coach because of what he brings to the table and we are all fortunate to have him at Seattle University!”
“Greg is a person all student-athletes need in their lives. I’ve never met anyone more supportive, selfless, or loving! My experience at Seattle U wouldn’t have been as great without him.”
“Greg is one of those special members of the department that you cannot qualify all of their contributions within a job description or list of responsibilities. Greg provides so much more with his never ending passion and commitment to Seattle U in addition to his regular work. We could not be the same without him.”
“Greg is a friend to everyone. His encouragement and selfless dedication to those he serves makes him such a special part of our Seattle U family.”
“Greg puts his heart into everything he does. That’s nothing new to those who love him. What people may not know is truly how much of his time and energy he puts into not only our student-athletes, but also our athletics department as a whole. He is one of the most selfless people I know, always putting his full self into what he does. He is part of the soul of what Seattle University stands for. I can’t think of a better, more energetic representative of our university. He embodies what the Lee Thurber Award is all about.”